A Chinese shipyard has filled its orderbook well into 2029, driven by growing demand for large LNG dual-fuel container vessels. According to Ship & Bunker, citing a China Daily report, the Daishan base of Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard in Zhejiang province has secured a pipeline of work centred around 19,000-TEU container ships capable of running on both LNG and conventional marine fuels.
MSC Group Orders Drive Production
The vessels are being built for the MSC Group, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies. Ship & Bunker reports that nine ships are currently under construction at the yard, with three units already progressing through the build process. The first vessel — which entered production in November last year — is scheduled for delivery in April next year.
The company attributed its strong order position to advances in both technology and production capacity, according to the report.
Dual-Fuel Engineering at the Core
To support the technical demands of dual-fuel propulsion, the shipyard has collaborated with the CIMC Offshore Engineering Research Institute. Ship & Bunker notes that the partnership has focused on dual-fuel design elements, including the integration of fuel tanks and onboard energy systems.
Beyond the technical side, local authorities have also played a supporting role — providing assistance with labour sourcing, logistics, and safety measures to help maintain production schedules, the report adds.
Broader Industry Significance
The fully booked orderbook at Zhoushan Changhong’s Daishan facility reflects a broader trend across the global shipbuilding sector, where demand for LNG-capable vessels has intensified as shipping companies work toward reducing emissions and meeting evolving regulatory requirements. With nine ships currently on the slipway and deliveries planned through 2029, the yard stands as one example of how Chinese shipbuilders are positioning themselves to meet this demand.
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Sources: Ship & Bunker (citing China Daily)
